Homicides in 2010, as of April 19 last year, totaled 10, according to the DPS.

"But that's still 10 homicides too many," Murphy said. "Safety in our community is a partnership. The police can't do it alone, and the citizens can't do it alone. But working together, we can keep driving down crime rates."

Murphy said the DPS is currently building partnerships to increase safety while using data to analyze when, where, how and why crime occurs to design the most effective enforcement strategy.

Tuesday's homicide investigation is still only a few hours old, Murphy said, and the identity of the victim has yet to be established. The autopsy is also pending.

A woman's body was discovered behind a church in the 200 block of West Fleming Road this morning. Police say the woman apparently died from a gunshot wound.

Police officers and fire medics responded to the site at approximately 6:30 a.m. today after a church staff member called 911 after finding the body near a basketball court behind the church.